About 2,100 students at SMU call the residence halls home. Our halls offer the opportunity to live away from home semi-independently before taking the leap into the “real world.” More importantly, through living in the halls, you’ll meet new friends and experience a variety of challenges in a comfortable and supportive environment. You’ll be close to classes and campus facilities and have easy access to faculty, staff, resources, and campus involvement opportunities.

Residence Requirement

All first-year students are required to live on campus, but exceptions to the residency requirement may be granted for students from Dallas who live at home with their parent or guardian. Requests for exceptions should be sent in writing to the Director of Residence Life & Student Housing. Transfer students are encouraged, but not required, to live on campus.

Residence Hall Accommodations

SMU residence halls offer varied living accommodations, from a traditional double room with community bath down the hall to a shared suite with adjoining bath. We also offer a limited number of single rooms, but because of their popularity among returning residents, they typically are not available to first-year students.

All residence hall rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, chair, and dresser and include closet space. Local telephone, voicemail service, and a data jack for computer connection also are standard. All residence halls are air-conditioned and smoke-free, as are all University buildings.

SMU offers several “theme” and academic focus communities that promote opportunities for students with common interests to live together, adding a special dimension to the residential experience.

More information about residence halls is available on the Residence Life & Student Housing Web site.